The Hidden World of Invitation-Only Airline Clubs

Private invitation-only airport lounges behind unmarked doors, the lofty privileges and perks that come with “Very VIP status” — welcome to the world of the high-flying elite. That roster includes politicians and unelected power-brokers, A-list celebrities and the upper ranks of the largest companies.

They probably don’t travel anywhere near as much as a top-tier frequent flyer, but who needs a platinum airline membership card when yours is a coveted and rarely-seen black one?

Here’s a rundown of some of the world’s most exclusive airline clubs and elite status tiers:

Chairman’s Lounge (Qantas)

Described by Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce as “probably the most exclusive club in the country,” Australia’s Qantas Chairman’s Lounge isn’t just a “secret” frequent flyer tier: it’s also a network of private, invitation-only airport lounges.

Located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, and Perth, guests enjoy restaurant-style dining and an all-day bar while taking in the serenity of the generally quiet space, or enjoying the artwork, which is rotated every fortnight to give regular visitors something new to look at.

Members also receive the highest priority when requesting upgrades, and have their preferences tracked and remembered from flight to flight, such as their usual drink and favorite seat.

Qantas has never published a list of Chairman’s Lounge members, but this VIP card is typically held by the CEO and chair of major companies which have sizable travel contracts with the airline, and by other invited guests who work in fields such as politics, show business, and media.

Qantas arch-rival Virgin Australia sought to emulate the Chairman’s Lounge with its equivalent VIP tier, The Club. It offers similar benefits across a network of five private lounges, with the add-on of escorts from lounge to aircraft, (at least) eight free business-class upgrades every 24 months, and complimentary airport limousine transfers when taking cross-country or long international flights.

Diamond Plus and Diamond Invitation (Cathay Pacific)

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific has not one, but two secret tiers beyond the lofty heights of Marco Polo Club Diamond: Diamond Plus, which recognizes the airline’s highest-spending flyers, and Diamond Invitation, for the VVIP set.

Take the same benefits as “regular” Marco Polo Club Diamond — access to Cathay Pacific and Oneworld first-class lounges, for example — and stir in perks in like an airport “meet and greet” service to skip past any queues, and that’s your above-Diamond cocktail.

It’s been said that Diamond Plus may be within your reach if your yearly spend on Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon flights ranks among the top 1% of passengers. But as for Diamond Invitation, if you have to ask, you don’t belong!

Interestingly, rival Singapore Airlines chooses not to have a private VIP tier in its own frequent flyer scheme, which tops out at Solitaire PPS Club. In previous years, it was possible to earn Solitaire status for life, although that club is closed to new members.

Centurion (American Express)

While neither an airline nor a frequent flyer program, American Express has its own invitation-only airport lounge and restaurant in Hong Kong, reserved for holders of the elite Centurion Card.

There’s no way to directly apply for a Centurion Card, but the path generally begins by holding and spending heavily on an AMEX Platinum Charge Card, from which you may be invited to upgrade to Centurion.

iO: Invitation Only (Emirates)

Launched in 2010, “iO,” or Invitation Only, is Emirates’ secret tier above Skywards Platinum. Getting this card is tough: The nod comes directly from Emirates’ President Sir Tim Clark, and membership lasts for two years at a time.

In an iO welcome kit seen by this author, Clark describes the program as being “a very special and extremely exclusive club of Emirates travellers,” adding that “this select group is reserved for our most valued customers.”

iO members receive complimentary chauffeur-driven airport transfers every time they fly Emirates, and can expect to find a private car waiting for them if their aircraft arrives at a remote stand in Dubai.

In the air, what the member wants, the member gets — including special meals customized to specific tastes and preferences, with such requests handled personally by Emirates’ Senior Vice President Airport Catering Services.

Fellow Gulf airline Etihad’s own VIP scheme, Etihad Guest Exclusive, offers similar personalized attention and private cars between aircraft and terminal, but with the addition of Residence Lounge access in Abu Dhabi: A space normally reserved for passengers booked to fly in The Residence, a three-room private suite on Etihad’s Airbus A380s.

ConciergeKey (American Airlines)

Made famous by Ryan Bingham — George Clooney’s high-flying character in “Up in the Air” — American Airlines’ ConciergeKey is less a frequent flyer tier than a personal concierge service when you fly.

Expect to be greeted upon arrival at the airport, whisked through security and, time permitting, driven from the lounge to your departing flight in places like New York’s JFK Airport. On landing, a similar fast-track experience awaits.

Delta’s version, 360 Diamond Medallion, offers comparable VIP perks and is again invitation-only, although United’s private tier, Global Services, can be attained by anybody who racks up four million lifetime Premier Qualifying Miles via United MileagePlus.

British Airways: Executive Club Premier

British Airways recognizes its crème de la crème through Executive Club Premier status, granting access to the airline’s exclusive Concorde Rooms at London Heathrow and New York JFK: ordinarily reserved for BA’s first class passengers.

Whether jetting near or far, the Concorde Room experience offers a dining room with table service, private cabanas, a social bar, and a terrace space.

When it’s time to board, VIPs are whisked directly from lounge to aircraft by Jaguar: but as to how you’d qualify in the first place, well, that’s a secret.

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